After an 18-month long investigation, 45 individuals have been arrested and are being charged with drug trafficking. Five more individuals are still currently at large.
Of the 45 who have been detained, Kareem Burke, former Jay-Z business associate and Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder, is one of the major suspects involved in the case. He apparently has pleaded guilty this past Thursday (March 15), to his alleged participation in an extremely large marijuana trafficking organization.
Preet Bharara, Manhattan U.S. Attorney, released a statement regarding Mr. Burke’s case to the New York Daily News:
“A former Jay-Z business partner who invested in Roc-A-Fella Records pleaded guilty Thursday to participating in a massive marijuana trafficking ring, federal prosecutors said. Kareem (Biggs) Burke, 38, faces five to six years in prison during his sentencing May 18 for conspiring to distribute more than 100 kilos of marijuana. Under the plea deal, Burke agreed to forfeit cash, his house and a BMW.”
Kareem Burke will be facing a minimum of 5 years behind bars, with a maximum sentence of 40 years, according to one source. ABC News, has released varying information regarding his possible prison time:
“Kareem Burke, also known as Biggs, was arrested at his home in Bergen, New Jersey, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers said. Another 44 people have been arrested and charged with drug trafficking, while five remain at large, prosecutors said in a statement. Among the 45 arrested was Matthew Stang, a writer and advertising representative for High Times, a New York-based marijuana advocacy magazine. All 50 people charged face a maximum sentence of life in prison.”
Regardless if he faces a maximum of 40 years or life behind bars, it’s still a serious amount of time to be detained. Things aren’t looking to good for Kareem Burke or the 44 others involved in the case right now who have been detained.
